24 May 2015

This is a post long overdue but like many things in my life lately I find it difficult to write it and yes, it kept me awake at night more than once. I love blogging and even more reading as you might know. Sadly the latter has not been easy for me due to two things: An eye problem which is not going away (and never will I am told) and a change of heart as well. I found myself homesick more than I can say and have seen my share of travel and will again in a few days. My destination is Home, those childhood haunts so familiar I can still navigate by myself despite the years of absence.Due to strict security regulations these days, traveling overseas however is not as 'glamourous' as in the past but not even the long lines and delays have slowed me down. Have suitcase, will travel...So in a few days I will take to the sky again, this time for months. I have contacted sponsors to let them know I will no longer post about the latest books offerings and thank them for their support in the past. There are some amazing authors well worth mentioning and I have been blessed with such opportunities. Traveling as I have and will continue to do means I use a camera more and more and thus I will post now and then photos and anecdotes related to these. I will also continue to discover the marvels of E Books thanks to my KINDLE: enlarging the fonts enables me to read some if not all the time. Not computer savvy I have none the less learned to download music, checked emails, surfed webs etc...I always keep promises, and I will post about three movies I accepted to review back in April and have just arrived. One is the continuation of a series I love and I am certain you will like!Finally, a heartfelt thank you to followers and for the comments I love to receive! Your kindness makes my days easier!So until the next time...May God keep you safe always,

22 May 2015

Dan Walsh, bestselling fiction author of novels like The Unfinished Gift and The Reunion, has penned his first non-fiction book. Perfect Peace is a 31-Day Devotional crafted from the pages of Dan's personal journal, written over the last several years.

Here's an excerpt from Day 2: “If you’re like me, you’ve known moments of real peace. Moments when you’ve trusted God fully for your life, for everything going on in your life. In those moments, you knew real peace. The problem is, the word ‘moments.’ The moments didn’t last. The promise of Isaiah 26:3 is not to have moments of peace in our lives. The promise is that God would keep us in Perfect Peace.”

In Perfect Peace, Dan shares the Scriptural life-lessons he's learned during some of the more challenging times in his life, hoping to encourage other Christians wrestling with things like stress, worry or fear.

My thoughts:

Dan Walsh continues to surprise me! Perfect Peace in Imperfect Times reflects the many challenges too often we experience in our daily life and definitively for this reader, hit the 'spot' more than once!As a former pastor Dan knows something about humility and his encouragements go a long way to soothe when times are rough. Dipping in the Scriptures, he shares what he has learned in times of great difficulties and through this devotion shows us how to take challenges one day at a time (or one step at a time if you prefer). Reading through I found myself experiencing a calm much needed and thinking back throughout the day about his words helped me to remember I am not alone, God is always there.

I urge you to give a try to this 31 day devotion and see what it can do for you as well. I myself will see the next few months challenges with a lighter heart thanks to Dan!

God bless,5 Stars!!

Meet the Author:

From Dan's website:Dan was born in Philadelphia in 1957 to a mostly blue-collar, hard-working Irish family. His father was the first person on either side of the family to earn a college degree. It took him 9 years, working during the day, going to college at night, using the GI Bill -

As of this moment, Dan has 12 novels on the shelves. His 13th novel (the first to be published independently), is called When Night Comes. It releases November 1st. Novels #14 and #15 are finished and scheduled for release in April and September, 2015.

In addition to his writing, Dan also enjoys public speaking and is frequently invited to speak at writer’s conferences, either as a keynote speaker, or teaching workshops and seminars on a variety of writing topics.

A heartfelt thank you to Dan Walsh for the opportunity to review this latest offering!

Disclaimer:I received a copy of this EBook courtesy of Dan Walsh as part of the book promotion.I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

09 May 2015

In a very small French village near Verdun (total 5 homes) there is a stone house...

With a beautiful barn and two large ponds...

With one lone duck (he just appeared one day and elected residence)

If you look well through the reeds you will notice all the frogs...

Through the many acres runs a small brook...

Nearby is the mayor's office...

And a lovely church...

Its very simplicity the better to be closer to God...

Its one single stained glass window, a mosaic of colours...

There is also a very old cemetery...most graves date back to the 19th Century...

Villagers take turns in tending these and have their own key to the church to pray...

With the shortage of priests around the world, there are very few services held here but God is here as everywhere...

And then there are those hard to leave behind when it is time to say goodbye...

Including a lovely bunny named Nana...

Thank you for stopping by and especially to all those who kindly took the time to leave a comment or two. You made my day!!I have an announcement to make in the near future but first there will be a book review and of course, tomorrow is...the occasion to remember a special date...

08 May 2015

As promised (albeit a tad later than first anticipated) here are the pictures I took of a beautiful grotto in Jette, Belgium. A regular stop (long, long ago...) during many walks with my Granny, I was delighted to see it remains as beautiful as ever.Dedicated to Notre Dame de Lourdes and erected for the purpose of praying for soldiers, this grotto was inaugurated in 1915 amidst the tumult of World War 1 by Cardinal Mercier and is an exact replica of the one in Lourdes, France, down to its size. Under the image of the Virgin Mary can be found a stone of the original grotto and the magnificent altar (see below) was a gift of King Albert 1, known as the Soldier King.The recently renovated garden holds little chapels, a reminder of the fifteen stations of the Cross whilst a beautiful replica of Christ on the Cross hangs as a reminder of His gift to us.A haven of tranquility, the grotto celebrated its 100th anniversary at the beginning of May.

A mere 7 km from Brussels, Spring is showing all its colours in the 14 hectares gardens of Groot Bijgarden. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and roses abound here for visitors to admire late April and early May.

First edified in the 12th Century, the newer 17th Century Flemish Renaissance Castle of Groot Bijgarden is not opened to visitors but with such beautiful gardens none the less a must seen if you happened to be in the vicinity.

Trees are only showing their buds but the flora is well evident in the park.

I have to laugh...I did not want to sound like a tourist yet I do! Tomorrow I would like to share my visit to a beautiful grotto in Brussels and perhaps introduce you to a lovely farmhouse close to Verdun the next time?!See you then,

02 May 2015

So what happened to me the last couple of weeks since my last posting? Let's just say that after traveling abroad yet again the last 6 weeks I had the opportunity to see beautiful sights and meet some incredible people!How blessed we are to belong to such a variety of nations and yet revere one God, no matter our faith...I'll be posting some photos in the next few days (not much of the tourist kind though, sorry) and I hope to see you!